Demo - Stitching In Hand 

Oh my. Your stitching is gorgeous, and you make it look so easy. I keep watching this video over and over, hopefully some day I'll be able to stitch like you.

I appreciate this video! Its so refreshing to see a minimalist approach. And its so neat and tidy! I have incorporated this method in my small projects. Thank you!

Thank you. I love stitching in hand. Take care🤗

Good instruction with very interesting visuals. Thank you for sharing.

So glad I found your video! I’ve only been stitching for almost a year now, I always stitch in hand but I don’t like scrunching my fabric, never knew I could just roll them. Lol. Such a game changer for me.

Hello. I stitch in-hand too, but mostly using the sewing method. My hand usually only goes beneath the fabric to start and end threads. I started stitching again Dec 2016 after a 10+ year hiatus that ended mostly due to floss tube. I do most of my projects over two threads (no linen) to make it easier to stitch and do fractional stitches. I'm enjoying your videos.

Thank you for showing me how you stitch your projects, I am always wanting to compare my stitching and make it better...your storage ideas are very good...I always try to roll my projects and store everything in the larger zip lock bags...best wishes 😊

So happy to see your method of stitch in-hand. I have never liked hoops or frames or the Q-snaps. I spend so much time getting my fabric into these, straightening it to keep it taught...and I seem to get the floss caught on something with every stitch! ha! like a wing-nut or rod end....anyway. Love to see how you roll your fabric and sit back with your pattern on your lap. Great info about your fingers on the left hand guiding the thread. And you were flying!! Nice protection when not in use to keep it in the roll. You have very clear instructions and it's so nice that you project your voice and I can hear you easily! I have just found you and will be watching all of your videos. Thank you and keep on educating us!!

thank you so much for this video. it was exactly what i needed. i am an in hand stitcher always. i learned a lot with your video.thank u so much and please keep going with your videos❤️

Thank you so much for this video. I rolled my large 18 count Aida. It’s working yay!! Thank you again.

Loved your demo. I always admire in hand stitches but haven't mastered it yet. I will have to give it a try again. Thank you!

Great video! I used to stitch in hand years ago but I rolled my fabric from top to bottom and held it in my left hand. I loved stitching that way but had to give it up because of early carpal tunnel syndrome. I bought a qsnap and eventually a stand. Your method is great having the roll parallel to you and resting on your arms if large. As for the Chatelaine, I've yet to start one, but I think you might have to get scroll rods for that. Vonna used Rolaframe rods and they look like they would work. Not big and bulky and light enough to hold. Your keeping me company while I complete this boring border tonight... and I'm almost done! yay!! 😘👍

Thank you for this video. Very clear and informative. I seem to always be struggling with frames and hoops and I can't seem to get set up to stitch in my favorite comfy chair so I am going to give this a try.

Thank you for sharing 🤗, really enjoying your videos.

Thank you! I'm excited to try this. I have a large project that is fairly wide but super long and I couldn't figure out a good way to roll (up and down while still moving side to side in the section I'm working on) using what I've seen more in hand stitchers do- rolling side to side. Makes totalk sense to grab from the bottom of the roll! I think I can even roll and then use some thread huggers to keep the bulk rolled and then roll over those to roll to what I currently need to work on.

Thanks for the demo! I used to stitch everything in hand but switched to q-snaps when I started x-stitching again and it was hurting my holding hand too much. Your technique solves that problem. I might just have to try it some time!

I'm a new stitcher and I found your videos before I started stitching. Everything I ordered came fairly quickly but I had to wait for the hoop a few months. Because of you I realized I can stitch without it, otherwise I think I would've just waited for the hoop to be able to stitch. So now that I know how to stitch in hand, I can't use the hoop at all :D it just feels uncomfortable and is in the way. Stitching in hand feels more natural to me. So thanks!

Thank you for sharing your in hand stitching method. That’s a really big piece of Aida! I think I will give your method a try. Frames can be expensive. I prefer to be frugal. I really love your stitchy corner organization. You seem like a really nice person. I subscribed.

Love your videos! You do a great job. I also stitch in hand. I am very backwards in the way I start a project, which is in the lower right hand corner of the project. I don't know why, but it seems to work with my brain better that way. Anyway, thank you for taking the time to share your beautiful projects with us. Carolyn.

Love the video o. Hand stitching. I'm definitely going to try the roll method

Great instructions.

I've never used a hoop or qsnap, I've been toying with the idea of trying one but so far I've done a few in hand and enjoy it so much! I use binder clips and paper clips to help keep my extra fabric or finished work out of the way. I've done counted and printed cross stitch, I'm making a kit for a new project (my first pattern I made and will put together :) ) which will be a 16ct, I've done 11 and 14 previously, I'm so excited for everything to come in so I can get started!

I enjoyed seeing how you stitch. I always use a hoop, but I worry it mashes my stitches. Especially the beading. I like how organized you are with how you store your fabric, to put it away.

Just to add, if you use the recommended silks and threads, you cannot wash it. The silks are mostly non-fast.

Very helpful, thank you 😊

Welcome to floss tube I have been stitching for 48yrs used to stitch in hand sometimes still do but I used to have my fabric with stitches inside so I was holding the back of the work. I use both methods stabbing and sewing method. I often use a hoop now 5 - 6 inches sometimes larger depends on my moods and how my hands feel.One of our girls stitches in hand thelovelyarray I am sure she did a chatelaine have a look .... Look forward to seeing many more of your videos.Happy stitching Xx

I LOVE the stitch in hand method!!! I roll my fabric as I go...some of my projects I fold...in part because the aida is so large (it's for a HAED project...enough said :P) and it natural folds because of how I got it (I don't have an LNS and Walmart and Hobby Lobby don't have all of the aida I like to use). I also stitch in my recliner :) Happy stitching!

I stitch in hand as well, but roll from the left towards the right. I actually roll so the finished stitches are in the inside, so I am always touching the back side of the fabric and stitches. Great video!

Thank you so much, great way to stitch. I will try it tomorrow... I am having problems "scrunching" up my fabric on Poppy, but rolling it like you do will sort out all my issues 😊

I was taught in hand and I love the freedom of not being clostiphobiaa with all those contraptions all around me. I do large and smaller pieces like that.i really like the sewing method.

I gave stitched in hand for 46 years. I started counted cross stitch on linen and the lady in the shop called Thumblina told me not to use a hoop because it would stretch the linen. I don't hold my fabric any special way rarely wash it. I have done very size and type of material.

I love stitching in hand. I sometimes use a small hoop. I don't worry about hand oils. I don't think my great grandmothers did and I have some of their pieces. They all look great. I'm not interested in silks or expensive fabrics. I'm just enjoying my hobby at a price I'm comfortable paying. I watched your videos and admire your work.

I have a very large project that I have been wanting to do. I do not have the money or room to by one of those large frames. (the fabric would be at least 60x40 to give an idea.) I have tried in hand stitching with small project and love it but not with larger projects. Thank you!!

I am soooo excited about this video that I haven't even finished it yet and have to comment. I think I am going to try "in hand stitching" since I am new to cross stitch and it just looks comfortable and natural to me. Also, I notice you don't grid. Gridding seems like a waste of time to me (or actually to hard for me to learn. Ha!) if I plan on working on 10 by 10 squares. I do have a frame that I might put my last needlepoint project in. And for the first time in my life I will be working on 2 projects at once! I hope I enjoy cross-stitching as much as I do needlepointing. I was always afraid of counted cross stitch because of the "counting" I thought I would get lost. But now, I am slowly learning what I think will work best for me. You videos have helped immensely! I only wish I had more time to watch and to stitch!! I am very excited because of all the beautiful pieces I have seen you girls do, and the detail in them!! I am so excited about all this. Before, if I got tired of working on a project, I would just read or watch a movie until I got the urge to stitch on it again. Sometimes my project would sit there for 6 months. Who knew I could have been working on another project! Ha! Thank you!

I have always stitched in hand. It actually looks better to me. I have been stitching many years. I have a stand the scrolls the Q snap hopps, just men to me. Stitching on hand for me just feels right. Leave the fabric free is the key. Except beading, then it makes sense to lay it flat with my trusty ironing board clad in muslin.

I stitch the exact same way!

Thank you! I really want to learn how to stitch in hand.

Wished I could stitch in hand like you, but I need magnifing lenses now, with head magnifers too on 18ct, Iove your choices of patterns.

I've done very small projects (~4x4) and very big projects (30 in +) in hand. The aida on the tiny projects kept the work stiff enough, & at the time I didn't have a frame to fit the big project. I use various frames for all other sized projects bc I generally like the fabric taut. I find it easier to stitch that way. A lot of ppl do the sewing method while stitching in hand but I don't like how the stitches look, so I do the stabbing method as shown in this video.

Hi Sarah, thank you for a most informative video and I am amazed how fast you can do your stitching with one hand. I am definitely going to try it too. I have never stitched with silk but I have used rayon hand dyed thread for my Brazilian embrodery and I learned the hard way when I washed it: some of the bright reds and yellows ran and I am still wondering how to get the color out of the fabric without damaging the whole thing. I would like to know what to do with this table cloth now???if there is anyone out there that knows please help, thanks again!!!

I don’t expect you to see this comment as it’s 6 years after this video was posted but I love this! I plan to try it. Only thing is I would roll the top side of the fabric inward so it doesn’t matter how much you handle the fabric, the stitches and shown aka top aka right side of the work is always protected. But I can’t say if that would work as comfortably as I have yet to try this method. My next project I just might. I love working in a hoop but I hate the risk of pulling my stitches when tightening the fabric and I hate when I need one more row and just don’t have the hoop space and am limited to a certain area because I try to work all the space in the hoop before moving it. I also don’t love the creases left by the hoop. So this gives me a different in hand method. I like the sewing method but I tried it on a larger project I did (I’m a newbie so an 8” partial coverage was a lot at the time) and I just couldn’t comfortably hold the fabric the whole time to do the sewing method. I like the way you stitch as it seems much more comfortable and manageable even with a massive project.

I stitch in hand. I tried frames and other stuff. I stitch faster in hand. Happy stitching

Just remembered you said you have your pattern on your legs, perhaps you could get a double clamp from daylight company not expensive it clamps one end on table the other your pattern. I have had one for years it allows your pattern close up to you especially if your table is at the side of your chair. Would not be without my one. Sewandso uk also sell them, hope this helps it will help free up your legs. Happy stitching sweetie xxx

Where or how do you find the tubes you store your project in. Most projects come in a flat plastic bag when purchased, just curious. I am considering trying this method. Thanks.

If you have questions about silk threads and it’s care I would call the Attic Needlework shop In Mesa AZ ask for Carolyn. They really promote stitching with silk so they may have the answers you need.

Hi, I only know this as the "sewing method" (vs. the "stabbing method). I like how you roll your fabric. I've only done small projects (new to cross stitch). What do you mean you only use one hand. How could you use two hands? I have to use the fabric with one hand and the needle with the other. One issue I have is that my hand tends to cramp up while I'm holding the fabric so I thought I should switch to a floor or lap stand but then I'd have to switch to the stabbing method which I don't care for. Any suggestions about hand care? I loosen my grip and take short breaks but anything else? Thank you!

I also stitch in hand ,occasionally use a small hoop now if fingers don't want t to cooperate. Your demo was very clear and your stitching is very well done. The only difference is I roll from the back side to the front, that way my hands are not touching stitching. I've only used specialty threads on one project. I'd rather wash my pieces so I also stick with aida or lugana . What is the very large project? Looked interesting.

Thanks for the demo. I'm getting back into x-stitch recently but never used higher count fabric before, I always used Aida. I bought a frame online - not too happy with it. The lap stand for it is horrible-the wing nuts keep loosening just looking at it-not exaggerating. I'm thinking I might like Rolaframe but I think I will try this method first. I do like my fabric stretched on the scroll frame but it just doesn't feel right when stitching. Hoops are just too tight and leaves circles. I did try a little hummingbird on some 28 count Belfast. It said 2 over 2 but it doesn't look as nice and neat as I would think. I tried railroading but the stitches still look like they twisted. I'm still searching for "MY" comfort zone so I can enjoy stitching instead of being frustrated. Your projects look so nice on both sides.

I mostly stitch in hand, too. I just tried using Q-snaps and it's going okay. But very bulky because it is a big project am working on though.

I enjoyed your video. I Stitch in hand quite often as well. However when I roll my fabric, I roll it in the opposite direction you do so that the front of the stitching is to the inside and my hand is handling the back of the fabric. Depending what area I'm working on I may roll the fabric in from the sides instead of the bottom. I do like your idea of storing the projects in tubes!

I appreciate you sending me to this video. I hadn't cross-stitched for awhile and couldn't find my hoop. I have a fairly small project so I'm going to try your method. It looks like less hassle and, like you, I don't want any creases. I've noticed that they, whoever that is, wants us to wash our thread to prevent color bleeding. I've never had that problem and have never washed my thread. I would appreciate any thoughts about washing threads. Thanks.

Thanks for the video, learned quite a lot...have you ever usedthe diagonal method

Where do you get the tubes that you store your work in?

Hello Stitching mommy thank you for sharing your skills. I’m going to start to stitch on 25 Lugana stitching over 2 .When I need to take a space do I leave 2 squares.?

Thank you for your video. I was searching for cross stitching without a hoop, and mostly I found ways to do it using the sewing method, which I do not like. I'm a poke-stitching person and have always used a hoop, mostly q-snaps. However with my current project, and arthritis worsening in my fingers (I had to give up knitting), the weight and holding the frame was starting to hurt my hands more. At least holding a needle and thread is not a problem. So I took off the frame and started stitching without the added weight. But I was wondering if I was doing it correctly by not using the sewing method. Your stitching tips, and seeing someone else do it the way I want to, makes me feel comfortable about my stitching. As an added note, someone told me a few years ago, when rolling up large pieces of work to always make sure the back of your work is always on the outside so that your front work doesn't pick up any dirt, so I'm trying to roll that way when I stitch. I'm also a lefty, so I find I have to also roll sideways at times to feel more comfortable stitching. Thanks again.

Do you have any tips on how to roll up the fabric. I can't seem to get a tight roll of the Aida fabric.

I've always stitched in hand but took classes in specialty stitches and some of them would be extremely difficult to do stitching in hand. I purchased a table frame so I could take it to class. I really like it but still prefer to stitch in hand. For some specialty stitches you really need both hands free or so it seems to me.

Omg 😮 I just found ur videos sooo happy to see you stitching in hand I’ve seriously 😐 wasted loads of money on stands frames ect and ended up realising thth I actually stitch faster and better in hand 😊😍👍I’ve commented on a old video did you get a chatelaine then xx 😘

What is a chatelaine? I prefer hand stitching and I stitch as you do. When I have used a hoop the stitches do not seem to lay as well as I would like. Thank you.

Super🌹

Love watching your videos. You started by putting your thread underneath. Not familiar with this type of start. Could you show or start a project Thanks.

This is an interesting way to stitch in hand. Do you do one stitch at a time? Thank you for sharing..➿➿➿

Hi Sarah. I found this video regarding my present dilemma - whether to stitch in hand or use Q-Snap, hoops, or frames. I find stitching in hand the simplest method but my concern is will it be taunt enough so that I won't risk the finish product looking loose. Have you ever had a finish piece come out too loose because of this stitching method? Please advise (I always listen to your advice). I recently wrote to you about how to protect the edges of the fabric w/o owning a serger (you advised to stitch it by hand) and I did as you suggested and it was perfect. Thanks again for your help.

Hello. Is it possible to stitch in hand using a 20 ct fabric? Thank you

I've never cross stitched or needlework in hand (had by hand lol). I'm so used to the frame and minimally touching the fabric. I totally get why you do it - children, cats and takes up space. I'm going to try it your way and this way I can also try stitching a few projects at a time. I normally have 2-3 on a frame. How do you keep is so clean and how do you wash it once it's complete? You vids are so helpful and exciting! :-)

I'm about to start my first LARGE full coverage project. Someone on Facebook recommended me to watch this video. My question on Facebook was how to do this big project "in hand". I've stitched since I was little and I've always stitched in hand. I've tried frames, hoops, etc... and they're just not for me. But I didn't know how this project would go to do in hand. Thanks for this video. I'm also not a "scruncher". I fold the fabric, which does leave lines until I iron them out. I've tried the rolling method, but I still end up squishing the "roll" down and leave creases lol. So I just fold. I'm more worried about the length of the fabric, than the width. I can roll the width out of the way. It's the fabric that will be hanging that makes me nervous. I feel that my way it will just constantly be in the way, the fabric that is hanging down.

How do you finish when you are at the end of your thread?

I started watching your videos recently and I couldn’t stop until I watched all of them! I really enjoy having them in the background while I stitch. I decided to give your method of stitching in hand a try, and I liked the idea of it since I can easily move to different areas of the fabric, but my left hand holding the fabric started to hurt after a few days of doing this (the tendons in the back of my hand) I have a fairly large piece so the roll itself does droop and place a fair amount of weight on my left hand. Have you ever encountered this? And generally speaking, do you have any tips on how to avoid hand pain during long stitching sessions? (for the stitching hand as well)

I’m having difficulty seeing my project. I am new to cross stitching. Any suggestions on making it easier to see 11 count

Hi, how do I make sure my work is even?

Thank you so much for your fantastic videos, you are such an inspiration. One question - I know you don't use the sewing method however do you stitch one cross stitch at a time or do you stitch a row of half cross stitches and then back again adding the second half? I'm interested to know as your stitching is so neat.

Question: Do you ever roll the opposite way so your left hand isn’t touching your finished work? Or does it make it harder to stitch? I’ll have to give this method a try!

What is the name of the National Park pattern you are doing?

I'm a beginner to cross stitch. I notice the back of your project is so neat. How do you do that. My isa mess.

Thats what I do too.

What did you just put your project in.

i do too always have its the only way i can stitch

I don't see why you couldn't start a chatelaine and work it from the top down. The directions suggest you do the cross stitches first and then do the specialty stitches next. The notes are written for stitching from the middle out but if you know what band/row/circle your in, it should be easy enough to figure it out. I have one that I want to start, I just need to finish up a pair of bigger projects before I start in on the chatelaine.

Very interesting, I can stitch in hand, but I use the sewing method. NEver tried this way.